09-03-2004, 10:28 AM
I believe the Varus command was destroyed because it was lured into a very restrictive area between a hill and a bog, in some places only 10 feet wide. The Germans prepared the attack well in advance with a wall running parallel to the path. When the attack began, the Germans opened up with everything the had, spear,javelin,sling what have you and possibly brought down a quarter of the Roman soldiers before they even jumped the wall for CQ combat. The Romans were in disarray, unable to maneuver and were encumbered with their marching gear and all of the dead and dying at their feet. They didn't have a chance and were mowed down by the Germans.As for the cavalry, true they coudn't be used but then again the tried and true open field maneuvering tactics of the legions couldn't be used either. Keep in mind Arminius knew Roman tactics and may even have had the cavalry in his pocket, after all they were probably auxiliaries and may even have been German doing their part to lead the Romans into the trap.The legion was destroyed because Arminius knew the weaknesses of Roman warfare and exploited them. The other battles that the marine spoke of in 6 may have been the previous Roman expeditions into German territory in which the Germans waged a Guerrilla war, attacking and retreating and also using the terrain to lay traps. I believe the Romans were nearly destroyed on 3 occasions during that expedition. I may be wrong here though. <p></p><i></i>
